Teaching DD?

[zoe398]

So,my oldest DD has taken a great interest in designing and fabricating clothes for dolls. I, OTOH, am completely clueless. I would love for her to learn some basic sewing skills and pattern making. Any suggestions? I've looked into community classes but they're adult classes and she's only 8.

[Kari_mom]

I think the very first step would be to give her some needles and thread and some fabric and trims. I'm sure she can come up with many designs without further assistance. Maybe even post an ISO in the TP, most seamstresses have stuff to share.

If you need basic sewing instruction, there are books at the library for her age. My daughter and I like Simply Sewing which has a nice how-to section in the beginning. It also shows you how to make a skirt and pj pants without a pattern.

There are also many web resources with basic sewing instruction. Could you also ask if your daughter could take a class with you? I'm taking cake decorating right now, my dd was too young to take it by herself but the instructor said it was fine for her to attend if I took it too.

Good luck!

[kkar]

Try advertising in your community for a private instructor. I'm currently tutoring a little girl in our neighborhood on learning how to sew her own clothes and it's working out great for both of us. She's getting lots of one-on-one attention that she wouldn't get so much in a class, flexibility in schedule, and the opportunity to choose each and every project, while I'm enjoying the extra side money.

[elanorh]

You may want to consider looking into 4-H. There are sewing leaders for the kids who are taking sewing who would be able to work with her, as well. A lot of people think 4-H is just for country kids and livestock, but there are a lot of other projects that kids can take in it .... I learned to sew from my mom and through 4-H, and it was a great way to do things! They do background checks on all the 4-H leaders to make sure they're safe for kids to be around.

Typically you have to be "nine as of Jan. 1st" to enroll in 4-H but many areas have a Cloverbuds program for younger kids. Your local Cooperative Extension Office coordinates 4-H in your area (you can probably look it up in the Government section of your phone book, under "County offices," probably county agent or X County Cooperative Extension, OR it may be under the name of your local land grant college, i.e., "Montana State University Cooperative Extension Service, X County.")

Several of the 4Hers here work with a specific leader (or even a community member who's not a leader) on their projects, aside from moms. Grandmas can also be a great option if there's one near you with the skills .... And, if there's a fiber guild or quilter's guild near you, they may be able to suggest a particular member who would be able/interested in assisting.

[zoe398]

Thanks ladies!